Warrior's human mate

Chapter 13

James

I took her hand and led her to the bar. Catching the bartender’s eye, I waited as he came over. I sat down on a barstool.

"Do you want some water again?" I asked.

"No, virgin mojito please." She said it loud enough for the bartender to hear.

"Virgin?" I raised an eyebrow, smirking teasingly.

She rolled her eyes.

"Non-alcoholic!" Her tone was slightly annoyed, but I couldn’t help but smile at her.

"Why mojito?" I asked, curious to learn about her preferences.

"It’s refreshing, with peppermint and Sprite. I need sugar in my system after all that dancing." She smiled softly as she explained.

"And by the way, you’re a good dancer. I’m impressed!" She said with genuine approval.

Yes! I mentally fist-bumped the air. Her compliments warmed my heart in ways as if I’ve never been praised before.

"You’re not the first one!" I shot back with a teasing smile. Inside, I was grinning like an i***t. She liked me more and more. I could feel it.

"Ha ha!" Laila threw her head back in laughter.

"Good one!" She pointed at me once she calmed down.

"Now I suspect you’ve learned dancing." She grinned.

"You’re correct." I nodded.

"My mother made it her mission to teach us classical dances—waltz, rumba, cha-cha-cha, even tango." I explained.

"Wow, interesting." She looked at me, genuinely impressed.

"See? You’re not the only one with skills." I teased her.

"I never said you lacked skills. You’ve probably mastered your skills in bed till perfection, haven’t you?" She raised an eyebrow and scrunched her nose.

I chuckled at her boldness.

"Wanna find out?" I wiggled my eyebrows, flashing her a charming smile.

"Maybe you can still teach me a thing or two." I added while trying to keep my imagination at bay.

She snorted as the bartender brought our drinks.

"What do you have there?" She motioned to the glass in my hand, changing the subject.

I let it slide.

"Tequila!" I sang, throwing the shot back.

She c.ocked her head, eyeing me with curiosity.

"Maybe I should teach you something. The right way to drink tequila." A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes.

"Oh really? Well then—show me the right way, Miss I-know-it-all." I teased, raising an eyebrow.

She scrunched her nose, clearly plotting something. Then, she turned to the bartender and waited until their eyes met. She flashed a bright smile at him. He nodded, catching her drift, and moved to stand in front of her.

"Please give us two shots of tequila, two slices of lemon, and a saltshaker. I need to teach this guy how to drink tequila."

She wiggled her eyebrows at him. Was she flirting with him? I growled lowly, unable to hide my reaction. She gave me a weird look, but the bartender simply smiled at her. I needed to pull her focus back to me.

"I thought you said you weren’t drinking alcohol."

I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, but I’m not a slave to my own rules and beliefs either. For educational purposes, I can make an exception. It’s just one shot anyhow."

She explained. Maybe Miss Goody wasn’t as perfect as I thought.

The bartender placed everything on the bar in front of us.

"Can I watch? I’m curious."

The barman asked, leaning against the shelf behind him with his arms crossed over his chest.

Laila looked from him to me, then gave a shrug.

"Sure."

She smiled, clearly enjoying this.

"Okay. Are you ready?"

She asked, her smirk practically glowing with mischief.

"Lead the way!"

I gestured toward the glasses, eager to see what she had in mind.

"Okay, but don’t fall in love with me afterward!"

She said, deadpan. Say whaat? The bartender snorted, and I could see that Laila was holding back a laugh too.

"It’s too late for that."

I shot back seriously, holding her gaze. For a second, she seemed taken aback, then furrowed her brows in confusion. She scrunched her nose at me.

"Haha, very funny."

She said sarcastically, clearly unconvinced. She picked up the saltshaker.

"Anyhow… observe closely."

She added, her mischievous smile returning.

I was NOT prepared for what happened next. Everything seemed to slow down in that moment. She leaned in close, and her scent washed over me like a tsunami wave, intense and overwhelming. It was as if I were submerged in it. Then, she dipped her head toward the base of my neck. Her breath was warm against my skin, and a shiver ran down my spine. Goosebumps spread across my back, and I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling a rush of heat.

She gently traced the sensitive spot at the base of my neck with her tongue. It was the place that, under different circumstances, would have been marked by my mate. Even though that wasn’t possible anymore, the spot remained one of the most sensitive on my body. Her touch sent an electric shock through me, and I flinched, unable to control the reaction. The intimacy of the moment made everything feel more intense. So of course my guy was saluting me in my tight jeans. Oh, just f***k me.

As the world resumed its normal pace, she pulled away with a soft smile, her eyes meeting mine briefly. I realized my mouth was slightly open, and I exhaled, not even aware I had been holding my breath. She shook a little salt onto the spot she’d just licked, then picked up a slice of lemon.

“Open your mouth, please,” She asked and I obliged.

My eyes were hazy, and my body felt like it had turned to jelly. In that moment, I would have done anything she asked. If she had requested that I stand on a table and dance a striptease, I would have done so without hesitation. She brought the lemon close to my lips.

"Now, hold it with your teeth, like this."

I followed her instructions, holding the lemon between my teeth, the tang of its sourness spreading across my tongue. Her every movement sent my senses into overdrive, leaving me on edge. She raised her shot glass, a playful glimmer in her eyes.

"Cheers!"

Her smile was radiant, making my heart race in a way I hadn’t expected. I was never quite prepared for the way she affected me. She leaned in and gently traced my neck with her soft tongue, sending another shiver through me, sparking sensations that seemed to pulse through my whole body, especially my heart and my already rock hard member.

She drank the shot, then cupped my face with her hands. With a soft movement, she bit down on the lemon, her lips brushing mine in the process. She pulled back slightly, a teasing wink in her eyes, leaving me breathless. I.Am.Whipped. Can I bend her here on the bar and have my way with her? Please? Pretty please?

“And that’s how you drink… Tequila!”

She sang the last word with a playful tone, looking at the bartender. He chuckled softly.

“Good one.”

He gave her a nod before turning to serve another customer. I remained frozen, still dazed and caught in the moment, replaying every detail of how her body, her touch, and her actions had affected me.

“So remember: lick-dunk-eat.”

Her words gently brought me back to reality, though a part of me longed to keep reliving those small, intimate gestures she had shared with me. I took a deep breath, pulling myself out of the stupor.

“Okay. Now, it’s my turn.”

I grinned at her, taking the saltshaker from the bar. She moved her dress aside, exposing the soft curve of her neck. I knew exactly what I was about to do, and I wanted to savor every moment, every small detail. It felt like time should slow down, so I could enjoy this to the fullest.

“Just don’t fall in love with me either,” I teased, my voice light but carrying a hint of something deeper.

She smiled at me, and I stood very close to her. She tilted her neck, giving me better access. I studied her face, memorizing the details in such close proximity. Gently, I brushed my cheek against hers. Then, I lowered my head and exhaled softly against her neck, noticing the way her skin responded with goosebumps. It was a subtle sign—she wasn’t as unaffected as she seemed.

I kissed the spot where I would mark her. She shivered slightly at the touch. Then, I traced my tongue along her neck. Her skin was warm and soft, carrying the faintest trace of salt from the passionate dancing she had shown before. I heard a quiet moan escape her, though she tried to mask it with a cough.

It was a sound that made me appreciate the heightened senses I had. I pressed my lips gently to her neck and lightly sucked, savoring the warmth of her skin. She inhaled sharply, and I could feel her heartbeat quicken, her body responding in ways that felt both thrilling and tender. It was a beautiful connection, her reactions only deepening my admiration for her.

I gathered all my willpower to pull away from her neck. I didn’t want to risk upsetting her nor get a slap or kick in my sh.in for lingering too long. Slowly, I moved back, blowing one last warm breath on her neck. She shivered slightly, and I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

I sprinkled some salt on her neck and then brought a slice of lemon close to her lips. She bit down on it herself, and I gently brushed my thumb across her bottom lip. Her eyes met mine, a hint of something in her gaze. Was she bothered? I simply smirked, enjoying the tension between us.

And then I enjoyed it all again. I licked her neck, making sure to savor every grain of salt. Reluctantly, I pulled away and dunked my shot. Then, just as she had done before, I cupped her soft face with my big hands, my thumbs brushing softly along her smooth skin. I leaned in as if I were about to kiss her, but instead, I bit down on the lemon, relishing the splash of juice that hit my lips. At the same time, I pressed my lips gently against hers, savoring the moment.

I reluctantly pulled away, still cupping her face gently. She was breathing heavily, and I couldn’t help but hope that my actions had made her hot and bothered. I winked at her, letting go of her face, then brushed my thumb across my lips, tasting the lingering lemon juice. The way her eyes followed my every movement made me think, Bingo. I wanted her to desire me just as much as I wanted her.

She shook her head slightly, frowning.

“You took full advantage of that, didn’t you?”

She narrowed her eyes at me, accusing but playful.

“I just followed what my teacher taught me.”

I shrugged with an innocent smile, feigning ignorance. She shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Okay! I’m going to the toilet, then I’m finishing my drink. After that, I’ll dance until I pass out and then head home.”

Her tone was bossy, but I couldn’t help but admire the way she carried herself.

“Aye, aye, Ma’am,” I mocked playfully.

She scrunched her nose at me, and just like that, we returned to our usual playful dynamic.

Laila

I stepped into one of the bathroom stalls, locked the door, and leaned my forehead against it. Sh.it, I muttered under my breath. It had all backfired. Everything that had happened tonight. What had I been thinking, agreeing to go dancing with him? Okay, I just wanted to dance and enjoy myself, but that wasn’t all that happened tonight.

The things I had planned to tease him about, well, they backfired. He had that effortlessly s.exy look, wearing a simple white t-shirt tucked into dark blue jeans. His hair was styled back, and I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was. D.amn my hormones, I want a taste of that candy.

Dancing with him backfired. It felt so right to be in his strong hands, to feel the heat of his firm body pressed against mine. I felt light as a feather in his muscular arms. And the way he danced? Amazing! The way he led me, twirled me, and bent with ease—it had me in awe. I couldn’t help but be swept away by it. I didn’t expect to feel like this. When he simply swayed with me, holding me close, it was as if I belonged there, in his arms. I felt safe, protected, and cared for, as though the world outside didn’t exist.

I longed to rest my head on his chest, to stay there, but I didn’t dare to. The way he touched me—my skin burned for more. I think two years of celibacy has put my rational brain on the shelf.

Drinking tequila had backfired. I didn’t expect such a simple touch from James to set my body into frenzy. The goosebumps that spread across my skin when he touched the base of my neck, and the way he lingered there, his tongue brushing over my skin longer than necessary... I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back a moan, but it slipped out before I could stop it. The fluttering sensation in my stomach was a shock. The desire for his touch to continue was almost overwhelming. I wanted his tongue to keep on licking me everywhere.

I blame it on the fact that I hadn’t been in a relationship for two years. I wasn’t the type to engage in casual encounters, so maybe my sensitivity to touch had built up over time.

I had to leave. I couldn’t risk losing control. Self-respect, self-respect, self-respect, I reminded myself. Forget about him. Just enjoy the night, go back to dancing.

So, after a moment to collect myself, I drank my mojito and returned to the dance floor. James was standing at the bar, his eyes following me. When my legs started to ache from dancing, I made my way to him.

"What time is it?"

I asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the watch on his wrist. I was too lazy to pull out my phone and check the time myself. He glanced at his watch.

"It’s almost 3 a.m."

He replied while I yawned.

"Okay, I’m ready to call it a night."

I rubbed my left eye, feeling the weight of sleep slowly creeping in.

"Alright, let’s go."

He said and stood up.

"You can stay if you want."

I added, suddenly aware that I might be taking advantage of him as my personal driver.

"If you're not here, I’ve got nothing to do either."

He shrugged, his tone casual.

"Are you sure? With me gone, you could hunt for some midnight snack."

I raised an eyebrow, teasing him lightly.

"Midnight snack?"

He frowned, confused.

"A girl!"

I rolled my eyes, the hint of a smile playing on my lips.

"You know, for… se.x and stuff. You probably need to satisfy your carnal needs."

I clarified, though the idea of him with another girl twisted something in my stomach. But I wasn’t selfish enough to stand in his way if that’s what he wanted as he was not getting me in his bed.

He frowned again, this time more seriously.

"Laila, I don’t understand why you refuse to see my attraction to you."

His voice had a quiet frustration to it.

"I’m only interested in you. I don’t care about anyone else. Not now, not ever. It’s only you I see. Only you I want. In front of me, beside me…"

He smirked, and then his words took a deeper, bolder turn.

"…under me."

My stomach tightened. I frowned, my brain stalling. The words echoed in my head, spinning faster than I could process. Who says that to someone they've known for less than two weeks? Was his tongue always this smooth? Was he really getting desperate now that he couldn’t have me? Was I just another challenge to conquer because I was the first to refuse him? Could I be the only one to ever say no?

Anger simmered within me, growing as I asked myself these questions. He was bullshi.ting, wasn’t he?

"Don’t waste such big words on me. Besides, you’re wasting your time. I’ll be gone before you can even blink."

He said those words sincerely, but it didn’t make them easier to swallow. I couldn’t let myself believe him. Not when everything inside me screamed that it would lead to heartbreak. Because it’s him we are talking about.

His glare was sharp, his jaw clenched tightly, a muscle ticking under the strain. But why? Was it because his usual charm didn’t work on me?

James

When she returned to the dance floor, I didn’t follow her. My willpower had been stretched thin. I knew that if I felt more sparks , my control would snap. I’d devour her without hesitation, without a second thought. So, I kept my distance from her tempting body, even as it called to me from the floor.

But now? This was different. The first time I genuinely told a girl how I felt, how much I wanted her, and she didn’t believe me. All the charm always worked effortlessly before. But when I confessed my heart to my mate… No. Nada. Nothing. She said I was wasting my breath. Her constant defiance burned under my skin.

I was done with her—for tonight, at least.

"Just come. I’m taking you home."

I grabbed her hand and tugged her out of the club toward my car. She didn’t protest, just followed me silently. When I opened the car door and glanced at her, I saw the glare she was giving me. I kept my lips pressed tight.

Well, guess what, little mate? I’m not satisfied with you either. Glare all you want.

She slid into the car, and I slammed the door shut behind her.

I got in, started the engine, and sped off. The ride was thick with silence. She stared out of the window, sighing every so often. The familiar scent of nature and hay wrapped around me, soothing the tension in my chest. I glanced at her several times. Had I been too harsh a moment ago? My anger faded as I calmed down, and once again, all my thoughts and desires returned to her.

I found myself enjoying her quiet presence in my car. She yawned a few times, her exhaustion evident. I wished I could be her pillow tonight, feel her head resting on me.

How had I gone from commanding the attention of so many women to wishing for something as small as this? To crave these tiny moments with her when I used to have it all?

"I’m sorry for using you."

She said suddenly, her voice small, still focused on the view outside the window.

"Using me?"

I asked, genuinely confused. She turned to face me, her expression softer than before.

"Yeah, using you as a shield from other men."

Her voice carried a hint of regret.

"If it stops you from dancing and hooking up with other guys, I’d be happy to be your shield."

I said with a playful grin, trying to lighten the mood. To my relief, she wasn’t angry with me anymore.

"But it doesn’t make it right for me to do it."

She pressed, her tone firm.

"It keeps the hungry wolves away and my heart at peace. I think it's completely justified. Besides, I get to spend the whole night with a gorgeous lady by my side. I think I’m the lucky one here."

I flashed her a wide smile.

"You don’t get the point."

She said, her voice sharp with frustration.

"Clearly, I sent you mixed signals—wrong signals. And that’s not okay."

Her words were filled with regret, and it only made my mind spin more.

"Maybe you’re sending the right signals, but you’re just resisting them yourself."

I said with a smirk. She shot me a look, and in my head, I could practically hear her voice, full of annoyance and displeasure: "James…".

How had my name—coming from her mouth—become so annoying? Wasn’t my mate supposed to whisper my name in pleasure? Where was that heavenly, romantic connection I was supposed to have with her? The kind where every touch and every word brought us closer? These past two weeks had been nothing but constant rejection, defiance, and unrelenting agony. She never failed to remind me that she could be gone in the blink of an eye, and just the thought of it stabbed deep in my chest.

It hurt so much. I couldn’t breathe at the thought of losing her, even though, technically, she wasn’t really in my life yet. We saw each other every day, but there was this constant pushback, this emotional distance that kept crashing my heart over and over again. Was I that bad of a guy that the Moon Goddess had decided to punish me so severely? Wasn’t the 15 years I’d spent waiting for my mate punishment enough? Did I deserve this mental and physical torture?

I pulled up in front of her building, trying to shake the thoughts from my head. She was slow to get out of the car, so I quickly circled around and opened the door for her. Offering my hand, I helped her out of the vehicle. She sighed, her exhaustion evident. She looked so cute, making my chest ache.

We climbed the narrow stairs to her apartment. She paused in front of her door, turned to face me, and sighed again. Then, unexpectedly, she hugged me.

I wasn’t prepared for it, but the warmth of her body sent a jolt through me. She rested her right cheek against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. The contact, the closeness, was everything I had been craving. Holding her like this felt peaceful.

"Thanks, James. It was fun. And nice."

Her voice was tired, almost sad. It struck something deep within me, and I didn’t want to let go. I thought she’d pull away, but she didn’t. Her arms hung loosely around my waist, and I stood there with her, holding her, wishing that this moment would last.

"You smell good."

She said again, her voice soft making me chuckle. We stood there for another five minutes, neither of us wanting to move. Maybe I should have brought her back to my place tonight, at least so I could have held her through the night. But I still wanted to be a gentleman, not just some guy with a one-track mind, as she saw me.

"Are you planning to go home?"

I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Yeah," she murmured. "I’m ordering my legs to move, but they’re being pretty disobedient right now. I’ve started threatening them. I hope to persuade them soon."

She mumbled into my chest, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Come on," I said softly, not wanting to let go just yet. "You need a hot bath for those tired muscles."

"Yeah, but I don’t have a bath."

She replied, a little sigh escaping her lips.

"You don’t?" I asked, surprised.

"I just have a shower stall. It’s a small studio I live in." She explained, sounding almost apologetic.

"Then come to my place." The words slipped out before I could stop them, but I meant it. "I’ve got a nice bathtub, where you can soak and relax those sore muscles."

I was genuinely concerned for her. I wanted her to feel good, wanted to help make her feel better, even if just for tonight.

"Anything to get the girl into your room, huh?" She looked up at me, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"We have guest rooms," I said seriously, not missing a beat. "You know that very well."

She shook her head. "Naah, I’m good."

An idea popped into my head.

"How about we go to a public swimming pool tomorrow morning? They’ve got hot tubs too. That should help with your muscles."

She paused, her eyes lighting up with the suggestion. "Mm, that sounds nice."

She said, her voice dreamy, clearly warming to the idea.

"Okay, but I’m not waking up earlier than midday, so let’s make it two p.m.?"

She frowned as she thought it over, clearly weighing the idea.

"Sure, as you want."

I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. Honestly, I was just happy to have an excuse to see her again tomorrow.

"Okay, nice."

She sighed.

"You’ve been so nice to me, James. Thanks. I really appreciate it."

Her voice had a tipsy quality, soft and a little dreamy.

"You’re welcome."

I squeezed her a little tighter, relishing the warmth of her body in my arms. If only she would let me take care of her completely, let me be there for her the way I wanted to.

Then, another thought hit me.

"Okay, so one last thing for me to do."

I chuckled softly. She looked up at me with tired, questioning eyes.

"Mm?"

She hummed, a little confused, but trusting me. Without another word, I picked her up in my arms, bridal style. Holding her like this, so close, yet knowing I couldn’t have her in my bed, couldn’t fully claim her as mine. Had I become pathetic? Scrambling for any touch, any contact, like a starving man chasing crumbs?

Her eyes grew wide, her expression a mix of shock and discomfort.

"James! Put me down!"

Laila squirmed in my arms, but I held her firmly.

"No can do, Ma’am!"

I grinned widely, enjoying her struggle.

"Come on, James! Now I feel stupid! I can walk! I’m not that tired. Please, let me down!"

She was clearly waking up, trying to push against my chest, her voice laced with frustration.

"Nope."

I popped the “p,” making it sound like a final decision.

"I can walk! I was just resting. This is embarrassing, James…"

She kept rambling, clearly not happy, but I was determined to keep her in my arms for just a little longer.

"Just enjoy the free ride!"

I wiggled my eyebrows at her, trying to lighten the mood as I walked up the stairs. She relaxed, her hands resting in her lap as she looked at her palms. I was disappointed that she didn’t wrap her arms around my neck, but I kept my grin. Maybe next time.

Three flights of stairs felt like nothing to me. She felt light in my arms. I followed my nose and gently put her down in front of a door where here scent was strongest.

She searched for her bag and keys, glancing up at me.

"This was unnecessary. But thanks."

She pouted her lips and scrunched her nose, and in that moment, the urge to kiss her was nearly unbearable. Should I go for it?

"Come with me for a date."

I pleaded with her again. She looked up at me, and I could tell she wasn’t immediately saying no. I think she was considering it.

"Ask me this tomorrow. I’m not capable of making a good, rational decision at this hour."

She furrowed her eyebrows, clearly conflicted.

"Maybe you should reply now! Let go of rationality and follow your heart."

I knew it was a long shot, but maybe her heart was feeling the same pull, even if her rational mind was in control. Please say yes. I silently prayed.

"The heart is stupid, irrational, and NOT practical."

She deadpanned with a pout, making my heart sink a little.

"Love and relationships shouldn’t be any of those things."

I argued, trying to make her see things my way.

"Oh, they totally should! There are plenty of men to choose from. There has to be one who matches the practical and rational sides as well."

She stated with conviction.

"What if there’s only one that’s meant for you?"

I questioned, my voice softening with sincerity. She looked at me, clearly puzzled.

"For a playboy, you sure are romantic. I would expect you to be cynical about love."

She said, frowning slightly, which made me want to wipe that doubt from her face.

"Don’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know me."

I said seriously, locking eyes with her.

"I’m not having this discussion with you at 4 a.m."

She turned, unlocking her apartment door, but paused.

"Thanks for tonight. But bye."

Her voice had a tinge of guilt. Guilt? And then, before I could react, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. The warmth of her lips sent a jolt of surprise through me, and before I could recover, she was already rushing inside, closing the door behind her.

My heart raced.

That little vixen! She caught me completely off guard. If I’d suspected a kiss on the cheek, I would have turned and smashed my lips against hers. Now, I was standing in front of her door, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of what just happened.

"Id.iot!"

I heard her mutter behind the door. I wasn’t supposed to hear that, but these were the perks of having wolf ears. A wide grin spread across my face. I will get her on a date. And I will get to taste those lips of hers… soon. Oh, very, very soon.

It felt like I’d just won the first game of a long football season. I was pumped. I was going to nail this.